Tag: Charles Stanley

Part 2 of 3 of Dr. Charles F. Stanley

On By SkyIn Tributes5 Comments
“And I can only attribute anything productive or effective in my ministry to His wisdom and power.” – Dr. Charles F. Stanley

Welcome back to our sequel of our conversation on the teachings of Dr. Charles F. Stanley!

Last time we talked about how Dr. Stanley encouraged us to be Christ focused, stay driven to run the race, and taking the time to remember those who have gone before us by learning from their example.

Today, my interest is to mention one of many gifts that we have, and that is prayer.

The way you pray can reveal your relationship with God. How is your prayer life going? What does it look like? These are the types of questions I had once asked myself. Am I praying enough? Am I doing it correctly? Are just some other examples.

Intimacy is a game changer when it comes to prayer. The more intimate you are with the Lord, the more you will desire to communicate, discuss, seek, and ask of Him. You learn that this is God’s longing as well. The Gift of Prayer allows us to be unified with Father. What a word Dr. Stanley used, unified. It reminds me of what Jesus had once stated, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30, KJV), and we are promised that we also can have this kind of relationship too (please see 1 Corinthians 10:17, John 17:22, + Ephesians 4:4).

“His throne is free to us, it was very costly to Him.” – Dr. Charles F. Stanley

Being able to be presented in God’s presence is a privilege. For He is the Creator of all things. He not only created everything, but He takes pleasure, dedication, and honor in all the things He has considered to make. “But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.” (Psalm 4:3, KJV). It is truly amazing that we don’t have to be like the people of the world who have no hope. We have a caring Father who is willing to bend down to listen to anything that is dwelling within us that we cannot bear. OR even if it is something good with a thankful heart. Dr. Stanley made it aware that prayer is powerful & impactful simply because of the One whom we pray. He is the true source of our help.

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27

With all of this being said, I hope that this encourages you all to continue to pray. To consider improving your prayer life and if you lack in this department to not be hesitant in attempting to strengthen it. Even if you think you are ‘fine’ in this area, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything you need to be brought to your attention. For we are all continuously learning and you might be surprised by what He brings up. Plus, why wouldn’t you want to give yourself the excuse to talk to the Most High any how? Nothing in your life escapes His notice. “ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, KJV).

Part 1 of 3 Dr. Charles F. Stanley

On By SkyIn Hardships, Tributes1 Comment
“The Lord is trustworthy. Whatever His plan for you, be assured He will see you safely through.” – Charles F. Stanley

Welcome to day 1 of 3 posts I will be dedicating to Mr. Stanley.

Today I wanted to talk about running this race called life.

Depending on the day, it can feel really defeating to keep going with endurance. I’m sure a time or two you have felt the same way.

“There’s something comforting about knowing that men and women have finished their races well for centries – it gives me faith that I can too.”

Trillia Newbell

What I love about Dr. Stanley is that he always pointed us to Christ, always. If Christ wasn’t your focus, you needed to get refocused. A lot of the time I noticed when we become unfocused we loose sight of who God is. Then we fall into fears, doubts, and lies. This is a tactic of the enemy but this is also the weakness of the flesh. Which is exactly Mr. Stanley’s point. Without Christ, this race will be more exhausting than how it already feels. Below are some truth’s that he wanted us all to hear:

As you see, looking back on those who have gone before us can push us with further endurance. We can look back on Dr. Stanley, David, Noah, and more who have also anticipated God’s aid, armor, and assistance. Sometimes like David we cry out, “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? (see Psalm 13:1), but no matter what it is you are hoping for or struggling with, God will always look out for our good. Even though at times it may feel we are alone, there are people all around the world awaiting for similar blessings and also feel disheartened. Through wisdom he says it best, “In fact, throughout Scripture, there’s not a man or woman whom God used in a powerful way who didn’t first face a long and difficult time of waiting. So don’t despair… take it as the Father’s special favor and guidance in your life.”

“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” (Isaiah 64:4, KJV)

Charles F. Stanley

On By SkyIn Tributes4 Comments
“When you arrive in heaven and stand before the Lord, you will not be rewarded for what you’ve received. You will only be rewarded for what you’ve given.”
—Dr. Charles F. Stanley

I wanted to take the time to write about a godly person who served the Lord. He did so in a way that caught the eyes of many, helped the heart of tons, and taught lessons from all avenues of life. His name is Dr. Charles F. Stanley.

Dr. Charles Stanley died only days ago and when I saw the news, even though he lived to 90 years of age, I was shocked. Although no day is ever promised, Mr. Stanley was one person God had formed that made an impression and aided me on my personal walk with the Lord. While the Holy Spirit is the best of teachers (1 John 2:27), God makes it clear that our duty here is to still be here for one another (1 Corinthians 12:12). That man does not do best alone. All of us in the Body of Christ serve a purpose in the Kingdom and us valuing one another’s gifts I’m sure brings joy to the Lord.

“Time is precious… You don’t know how long it is going to last, so you need to make the most of it.”
—Dr. Charles F. Stanley

I’m just a small fraction of who he has had an impact on but just a few times that he has done so were:

  • In seasons of waiting
  • In curiosity of more knowledge of prayer
  • In everyday morning words of wisdom
  • And more

Personally,  I look forward to meeting him in the next life. He made sure to always remind us of God’s truths and always had an eternal perspective. Thankfully his legacy will still continue on. As long as internet, books, and materials are still readily available and we are still on this first Earth, we can still access Mr. Stanley in many ways. Within the next few weeks I want to do what I call “The Few” approach. I call it The Few approach because it is The Few who inspired my mind to write the way I soon will. The next few blogs will be different things that Dr. Stanley taught me. Hopefully you will be able to look back on him with me and have a renewed outlook while we still have time together. I would love as well, if you loved Dr. Stanley, what did he encourage you with? What kind words do you have to share with us? Leave a comment below, I would love to listen! See you next post, God willing.

Prayer

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“Prayer ushers you into a relationship with your Creator that impacts and reveals who you are as a person at the most profound levels.”- Charles F. Stanley

There is so much one could say about prayer. Prayer can do big things, or small. Prayer is also connection. Connection with the most important Being in the entire universe. How ever big that even is.

With prayer, comes humility. It allows us to lower ourselves and come to a God that is so much more than ourselves. It detaches us from the bustling world and brings us to a quiet space of intimacy.

You may know of the frequent times Jesus had often wandered away to do just that.

“And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”

(Luke 5:16, KJV)

From The Gift of Prayer by Charles Stanley, he says it perfectly, “Your life was made to be an earthen vessel that shines forth His glory (2 Corinthians 4:7). And the more you know Christ and are unified with Him, the more He lives His life through you, giving you His power and revealing His plan for you.”

You see, prayer isn’t just a time for you to ask for all the things you desire. Prayer is a way for you to have the most important relationship of your life! Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” God and His kingdom come first! Did you know as a child of God you are already a citizen of His kingdom? You no longer belong to the worries of this world.

“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.“

(John 18:36, BSB)

& although this kingdom Jesus speaks of is not of this realm, we have access to it everyday. Jesus tells us so, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there’! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21,NKJV)

“What other creature exhibits such a capacity or has been given such an honor?”- Charles F. Stanley

Are you in awe yet?

You should be.

I am showing you this passage because it glorifies the LORD. It illustrates His essence. A snippet of who He is and what He has done/does. Isn’t it just beautiful how some One so extraordinary and unfathomable would genuinely want a loving relationship with you and I? What is man that You are mindful of him (Psalms 8:4)? For we are just dust (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; Genesis 13:16; Genesis 18:27), yet you cover us in your blood (1 John 1:7), and cloak us with robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,  you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)

My message for you all today is, be an opportunist. An opportunist is simply someone who takes on an opportunity. You take the chance that is given to you and take it. Luckily for us, right now we have every single day to seize the opportunity at hand.

P R A Y

Get to know God. Even more deeply than you do now. God insists that you do. He says in Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight”, says the Lord.” <- That is who He is and this is what He wants!

As for myself, I have been exploring my personal relationship with our Father. More so lately. The things I wonder about Him, I seek. The questions I have for Him, I ask. The worries I have, I lay them all at His feet. For He truly cares.

“He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,

He shall see His face with joy.”

(Job 33:26, NKJV)

Taking on this challenge with God has done more than just be therapeutic for me. It is a continual learning process. I am learning how God speaks to me individually. I am learning how He speaks in general. Of what exactly He wants from me while we are here, and becoming more expectant to what He may reveal. It will not come all at once, as we may prefer (see Psalms 37:7), but I hope that this encourages you to maybe reach out to God on a new level. Fight against the distractions, the doubts, lies, or even laziness that is hindering your relationship. Trust your walk, trust where you are, and trust where you are going, because you are in safe Hands (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalms 46:10).

So as my journal says….

“Pray It Forward”